251 Halftracks GB 1 October '08 - 8 June '09

 Dry fitting! As oppossed to wet fitting! Never! We are attacking constantly and not interested in dry! It doesn't rain in the Army but on the Army and the rain drops fear me!!!!!  ( For the record I am in pain and enjoying it! ) NOOB alert right here Josh! Every model is just like my first cuz I can't remember the last one!

 What were we doing? Oh yeah dry fitting, mine seems to be getting there slowly but smoothly thus far. Everything fits. No gaps and seems to be in the right place.

 Haven't figured out what the roll bars are for yet though.

Got the back doors together and they fit too. WOWzers!  Only have to add the periscopes and paint the upper half . Some additionial little details and weathering inside then I get to start on the gun!

 Oh the gun! I have been waiting for the gun but wanted to savor the moment! Have to pace myself.... don't wanna peak too soon ya know!  Well I thinks it is time me and my bad teeth take a little nap. See ya soon fellows!  Dry fit , dullcoat and drool the 3 D's in halftrack!

Bish that looks just great. The camo looks terrific so far. Question though about the camo. I assume the last color will be the red/brown.  Does that color "cover" alot of what's down already or is it supposed to butt up to the gray an dk yellow?

JoshYou will do just fine.  And take that advise to heart. Since gluing the parts togther is the 1st step, making sure they fit perfect is the 1st thing to do. Post the pics as you go...looking forward to seeing them.

Thanks Guy.  I kept it dirtier since I figured there must be a nice cloud of crap behind those threads

FastasEF wrote:

Ugh, i'm so jealous of all your guy's skills. Go figure, the noob had to join the almighty super model power elite GB, lol. And this being my first 1/35 scale armor, and second armor build period.

Ahhh, making me laugh. Should I change the name of the GB? The Almighty Super Model Power Elite GB does have a much better ring to it than "251 Halftracks", doesn't it?

You're doing fine Josh. Looking forward to your pics!

Bish - Dang! Looks really good...you're farther along than I thought. What's your supposed return time from deployment? Oh, and as for Future, I want to say I've seen it listed as "Johnson's Clear" (or Klear) in your neck of the woods. Seem to remember seeing that in Tamiya Model Mag or something like that.

Guy - it's not too late for you to do another 251 with a nice camo scheme...

Marc - this build keeps getting better and better! That ammo box/trailer is the nuts. Hope I see this one in the "open-topped" category at AMPS in '09.

Luftwoller wrote:

If i had 1 piece of advice to you, it would be Dry fit, dry fit, dry fit. (Technically thats 3 pieces of advice, but you get the gist) ...Guy

Ditto that big time. A few mins dry fitting can save a lot of problems later.

Thanks for the comments on the camo. This is the first time i have used any sort of marsk when spraying, both for armour and aircraft. But as mine is late war and i wanted a hard edged scheme this seemed the best way to achieve it and i plan on useing the method more. Might even try it on a few German aircraft.

Where do you get your Future polish from. I have looked in all the supermarkets where i live but can't find it anywhere.

Awesome Marc, the trailer really sets the vehicle off. It looks spot on and weathered perfectly to match the puller. Top marks.

Bish, Its seeing a decent camo job like that, that makes me wish id gone for a camo'ed 251. It looks great and hurry back to blighty, we need updates.

Josh, Good luck on your 251. You neednt be afeared about the build. Im sure everyone here will be more than willing to help you at every step of the build. It could be your chance to do a WIP and we'll point out the pit falls along the way.

If i had 1 piece of advice to you, it would be Dry fit, dry fit, dry fit. (Technically thats 3 pieces of advice, but you get the gist)

...Guy

Ugh, i'm so jealous of all your guy's skills. Go figure, the noob had to join the almighty super model power elite GB, lol. And this being my first 1/35 scale armor, and second armor build period.

Maybe when mines done i'll let SMJ and Panzerguy take aim and see the devastating effects of the 251 heavys! (I'm just giving myself a hard time). Should ... I mean, might, have update pics soon ...

Josh

Finally, here are the pic i took before i left Blighty. Though after seeing the two completed 251's i am not to sure i want to carry on. Just amazing work there guys.

The first two show the vehicle with the putty marsk applied. Took me about two hours to get in how i wanted it, but this is i first time useing a mask and i was rather pleased with the results.

After painting i took the mask off and here is the result. So when i get back to the UK i have some more marsking before i apply the final colour.

And finally, everything i have managed to asseble so far. The road wheels have also been painted but these are still on the sprue.

Looking forward to seeing the other builds progress over time, and role on Feb when i can get back to mine.

OK this time it REALLY done's.  Mud flaps and rubber, exhaust is rusty, number plates are on and the ammo traliers is done. Oh wait...it's not odne.. I need a base for this one.

Glad to hear that both of you guys are getting some work done on your 251's - looking forward to more pics. Looking good, Moose!

Pordoi - I'll get right on updating that. Thanks for the heads up! 

Dupes,

Just in case that you want to update your link on the first page, the Hanomag site at geocities.com has recently moved to http://www.pietvanhees.nl/251/

the re-directing link at geocities isn't correct in its syntax, but the link above should take everyone there.  Such a good site that I thought the update was warranted.

Also, pics soon on the /18.  Progress is being made.

 Don

Yes, I can finally say I have started this GB!!!  I have been building it in subsections.  I have left the front axle off till I am ready to put the road wheels and tracks to get the right height.  Also I am looking at adding wire to the radio.  Any help here would be great.  I have just started to paint the radio.  Sorry no pictures of that yet.  But I do have a picture of the lower hull as it stands now.  It is missing the radios and submachine guns.

Guy you don't have to quit... just the box.  Thanks anyway for the offer but with Aaron scanning the instruction sheet and one of our So. American friends Zero Enna (Jose) posted link to an amazing 251/17 build with the trailer.  too bad that fboard is all in Spanish.

Worth taking a look at though

Click me 

Hey guys, thx for all the nice things you said. Makes a man almost well up LOL.

Aaron, nice work so far. Looks like the poor guys inside didnt have an awfull lot of room to maneuvre.

Marc, tell me youve only scratched the box. If youve scratched the trailer as well, im quitting modelling forever. Does this mean that you dont need the refs any more?

Fupes, Im off to grab me badge now

...Guy

sfcmac wrote:

Man where to start....  Seems like your MG has too much lite and not enough baka.... There are a whole bunch of antennas and your tracks are really dirty. Also someone forgot there helmet inside and left it where some poor bloke could fall over it. Very Dangerous!  Just kidding as it is so beautiful tears are forming in my eyes. I am all choked up really! There are no words to describe it's amazing wonderment! It is just over the top and gives the feeling you get in your throat about two seconds after taking a shot of a good single malt scotch. There are just not enough superbaltives to overcome the limititations of our language to adequately express my gooeyness that overcomes me when I see these photos!  Wonderment and joy fill my thoughts and I feel as giddy as Samantha Fox in a convent!  I could continue but surelly you get the point, Now to finish mine!

Guy... uh, what he said...

Seriously - NICE WORK!  Jaw dropping might be a good word for it...

dupes wrote:

BOYD - can't wait to see the aforementioned /4. What's the ETA on the box-opening?

Probably gonna be sometime after the inauguration - I'm working on a PzIII for a GB over at Models in Scale that needs to be done by then.  I actually might get it cranked out a little sooner and start on the /4 then, but I wouldn't want you to get too... excited...

Aaron looking good there.

I am calling this the build that never ends... well almost never.

Dupes I have the plates on and will get 'em numbered tonight. 

Working on the ammo tralier. As long as the kit had the trailer for the Flak 38,  all I needed is to scracth the box.  Box is almost done and now that i know how to get the trailer together (thanks again Aaron) I may actually be able to move on to the next project.

Luftwoller wrote:

] Just look at that last pic. An empty bench, just waiting for another project to rear its ugly head. Sorry for all the Frickin Fotos Fupesy and thx for a great GB. Looking forward to seeing all the 251's together at the end.

Guy - man, what a finish! You must have been doing a bit of marathon modeling to wrap up this guy so quickly. Will probably use the above photo for the roundup if it's ok with you - like the open rear doors, and being able to see some of the radio work you did. Glad you got a shot with the fully extended antenna, as well. Spectacular build, my friend!

You know, if your bench is really lacking something to work on, there are a few 251 variants with a bit of scratchbuilding left over that you could crank out...maybe something with a nice tri-color camo scheme to offset the panzer gray?

Check your PM's, your badge is waiting for you. 

 Well since Marc and Guy are finished I at least feel compelled to post something. If for no other reason to show it is out of the box. Only took one photo to show something different. My version is the /10 with the 3.7 cm PAK. The main diff with the interior is going to be the Ammo racks and radio location.  The Ammo cans are one solid block of cans that the Photo-etch racks slide over and onto. Those photo-etch racks were a beast to get together right and then fit over. Really could have been scratched from plastic almost as easy but I used them.  Other than that just painting as I go and doing up the monotonous tracks..... I think when I get to the gun which is the focal point for this vehicle I'll finally be in the zone!

to all of the above comments, Guy.  Great build.  Wing_nut set the bar high with his /17 and you've met the challenge with your /6.  I really enjoy seeing the the little things that each builder adds to their model;  in your case...

Luftwoller wrote:

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 whoever forgot to remove the bayonnet from their rifle and ripped that fine leather seat owes the commander a week's pay...

 Don

Outstanding job, Luftwoller! 

I still have yet to start my /21  ...too many projects to finish around the house.  But I am getting close to wrapping them up...today bought some Eduard PE and different tracks for my kit...should be able to get moving in the next week or so.  Should keep me busy during the looooooong Green Bay, WI winter!

Russ

Very Nice!  Your wiring is beautiful.  I will remember how you did the gray.  Your coloring really makes it stand out.

As for my /23 well, I finally started construction.  With you and nut_wing showing and telling about the construction problems, it should have a serious amount of work done.  I have a 4 day weekend.

Updates to follow.

Luftwoller wrote:

sfcmac wrote: ......fill my thoughts and I feel as giddy as Samantha Fox in a convent! Aaron, i hope your sitting down. Samantha Fox is a lesbian. Shes gone off men. I swear!! Ask Fupes about Keeley Hazel, Then youll really be talking. Aaron and Marc, cheers guys, you rock. ...Guy

 Well doesn't surprise me. I mean what could she do after I jilted her.

Of course after she gets a look at your 251 she may have to invent a new sexual pref. That thing just gets me hot! Look what it did for her!

Naughty girls need love too!

sfcmac wrote:

......fill my thoughts and I feel as giddy as Samantha Fox in a convent!

Aaron, i hope your sitting down. Samantha Fox is a lesbian. Shes gone off men. I swear!! Ask Fupes about Keeley Hazel, Then youll really be talking.

Aaron and Marc, cheers guys, you rock.

...Guy

wing_nut wrote:

WOW... youdaguy!!!!!  That is freakin' gorgeous.  I was thinking of hanging some tracks off the front but wasn't sure.  That looks a treat.  The radio gear, antennas.... jeez, just all of it looks super.   hey, if you need an extra MG for the rear mount, I got one for ya.

Hey now don't go too overboard with the praise. He'll get a big head then his hat won't fit!

WOW... youdaguy!!!!!  That is freakin' gorgeous.  I was thinking of hanging some tracks off the front but wasn't sure.  That looks a treat.  The radio gear, antennas.... jeez, just all of it looks super.

hey, if you need an extra MG for the rear mount, I got one for ya.

Man where to start....  Seems like your MG has too much lite and not enough baka.... There are a whole bunch of antennas and your tracks are really dirty. Also someone forgot there helmet inside and left it where some poor bloke could fall over it. Very Dangerous!

 Just kidding as it is so beautiful tears are forming in my eyes. I am all choked up really! There are no words to describe it's amazing wonderment! It is just over the top and gives the feeling you get in your throat about two seconds after taking a shot of a good single malt scotch. There are just not enough superbaltives to overcome the limititations of our language to adequately express my gooeyness that overcomes me when I see these photos!  Wonderment and joy fill my thoughts and I feel as giddy as Samantha Fox in a convent!

 I could continue but surelly you get the point, Now to finish mine!

Well, im calling this one done. Got the camera working (For how long, God knows) The Panzer grey finish was achieved by 1stly giving the entire model a good base of Tamiya Nato black, then using a lightened mix of German grey (Lightened with Buff) i sprayed the centres of each panel making sure that there was a good contrast between the insides and outsides. This gave a fairly patchy effect but is easily blended with a light overspray of the German grey. After a local squirt of Future, the decals went on. I tore the cross on the R/H/S but hid it rather well NOT! I then gave the entire model a wash with MiG's, Blue for panzer grey wash. A local pin wash here and there, a bit of dusting and Voila.

Just look at that last pic. An empty bench, just waiting for another project to rear its ugly head. Sorry for all the Frickin Fotos Fupesy and thx for a great GB. Looking forward to seeing all the 251's together at the end.

...Guy